In May, a federal grand jury in Detroit indicted Winterkorn on charges stemming from the diesel emissions cheating scandal in a plot that prosecutors allege reached the top of the world's largest automaker.

German news agency dpa reported that prosecutors chose to seek Stadler's arrest due to fears he might try to evade justice.

"His arrest is another low point in VW's diesel saga", said Evercore ISI analysts, who have criticized the company for being slow to reform.

Stadler's detention follows a search last week of his private residence, ordered by Munich prosecutors investigating the manager on suspicion of fraud and indirect improprieties with documents. Confirming the development, a spokesperson said: "We confirm that Mr Stadler was arrested this morning".

The arrest of the Audi CEO comes just weeks after Volkswagen tapped a new CEO to move the company past the scandal.

Audi and VW confirmed the arrest and reiterated Stadler was presumed innocent unless proved otherwise. "The hearing to determine whether he will be remanded is ongoing", the spokesman stated while also adding that the presumption of innocence applied to Stadler's case.

Former VW chief executive Martin Winterkorn stepped down soon after the scandal broke in September 2015, while successor Matthias Mueller was hastily replaced earlier this year.

Stadler's arrest will raise tensions on VW's supervisory board, putting at risk a fragile truce between management, labour representatives and board members from the carmaker's home region of Lower Saxony.

VW has so far set aside around $30 billion to cover the cost of fines, vehicle refits and lawsuits related to its emissions test cheating.

Standler's home was raided last week where Munich prosecutors based the arrest warrant on concealment of evidence. Two managers are serving prison terms in the US.

Fierce fighting intensifies outside Yemen's Hodeida airportJun 17, 2018 - 21:05
In a statement, he held the United States and Britain responsible for the Saudi-backed attack on the vital port city. The Arab coalition also struck the main road linking Hodeida to the capital Sanaa to block reinforcements.

Migrants on stranded vessel to be taken to SpainJun 15, 2018 - 15:17
Spain's Prime Minister has agreed to take in a rescue ship stranded in the Mediterranean , to help avoid a humanitarian disaster. The migrants were rescued in six separate night-time operations in the central Mediterranean on Saturday.

Millie Bobby Brown Homophobic Memes: Funny Tweets & PhotosJun 15, 2018 - 15:16
The memes depicted the actress saying homophobic quotes and have been removed by Twitter in the wake of the incident. Millie Bobby Brown has deleted her Twitter account after facing harassment from social media users.

Neymar the heir to Ronaldo at Madrid - ValdanoJun 15, 2018 - 15:02
It is worth noting that Messi for the first time surpassed the Portuguese in the list of the richest players in the world. The Egyptian is one of them". 'I hope his injury in the final in Kiev doesn't keep him out, ' the 33-year-old added.

Buffalo Mountain Fire forces evacuations near SilverthorneJun 15, 2018 - 14:22
Wednesday was the first day some of those residents were allowed back home in places like Tamarron, Glacier Club and Rockwell. The fire has burned roughly 90 acres and is sending out embers that are setting spot fires within surrounding neighborhoods.

Primaries on tap for TuesdayJun 13, 2018 - 07:56
The victor of the Democratic race is expected to face Republican state Attorney General Adam Laxalt in November. Dave Young - Retired middle-school math teacher and current state representative of House District 50.

'Fortnite' Is Coming To Nintendo SwitchJun 13, 2018 - 07:19
It has also been reported that cross-play will be available too, although it will only be with some platforms. We assume that cross-play with all of these other platforms will be supported on the Nintendo Switch .